Parking brake mechanism issue? DRW 3500 Won't take up slack.

[Samisunjp]

Hey all,

Troubleshooting my parking brake on my 3500 DRW. I'm not sure if my pedal is functioning correctly. When depressing the pedal it is not taking up slack as you depress the pedal consistently. The video below I took and shows what I am talking about. The silver wheel doesnt start tackingup the slack on the parking brake cable until the pedal is almost at the floor. Is there a way to adjust this?

 

[malibu795]

Need to adjust the shoes in the drum of the rotor hat
This is on a srw truck same principle applies
Big difference DRW rotor are inboard vs out board of the wheel hub

Source: https://youtu.be/bp2K8lQOfKM?si=4zqrk9kXZ9ZFkYZK

 

[Samisunjp]

Need to adjust the shoes in the drum of the rotor hat
This is on a srw truck same principle applies
Big difference DRW rotor are inboard vs out board of the wheel hub

Source: https://youtu.be/bp2K8lQOfKM?si=4zqrk9kXZ9ZFkYZK

I have adjusted the shoes and maxed them out, the issue seems to be there in the pedal, it barely takes up any slack in the cable as seen in the video.

 

[malibu795]

If you maxed the shoes out in the wheel hub, 1. you won't be able to spin the tires and it will be hard to drive the truck.

2. the parking cables that run along the frame should be tight with little to no flex in them. Do the arms on the backing plate move that the cables are hooked too?

3. If you can move the truck as if it's not applied your parking brake pads are shot. you will need inner wheel seals as you have to pull the hub to gain access to the parking brake assembly.

I set my stuff up that the parking brake applies within first 2" of pedal travel.

 

[Samisunjp]

Thats what is confusing, the cable is not being moved at all by the pedal in the first 2" of pedal travel.

 

[TheBac]

The three cables can rust into their sheathing and cause this, too.

 

[malibu795]

Thats what is confusing, the cable is not being moved at all by the pedal in the first 2" of pedal travel.

Sounds like cables are rusted in the sheath and most likely the parking pads are smoked..
Check the brake lever at the wheel hub, when released, they should be angled forward. Should be close to ~2" between the lever and cable sheath mount when released

 

[Samisunjp]

Sounds like cables are rusted in the sheath and most likely the parking pads are smoked..
Check the brake lever at the wheel hub, when released, they should be angled forward. Should be close to ~2" between the lever and cable sheath mount when released

I will be sure to check this tomorrow to see what is up

 

[Ron Nielson]

Maybe some help here

 

[Ron Nielson]

I can't see or test your truck from here, unless you are in Phoenix. The best I can do is to provide information.

Do you live where they salt the roads? If so, probably rust and corrosion is a big part of your problem

 

[Samisunjp]

Hey so it has been a long whiule but life happens. So far for this issue I have replaced:

Parking brake pads
Rear Rotors
All 3 parking brake cables
The pedal assembly itself

I can feel the parking brakes start to engage about the last inch or so of pedal travel but the most they hold are the truck in nuetral on a flat surface haha. As soon as it goes in gear not hold at all.

I'm completely stumped on this as at this point i feel like I have replaced everything possible.

Any more suggestions?

 

[2004LB7]

How have you have the star adjusters set? Of the pads and rotors are new, you should be able to adjust them to be snug when sliding the rotors on. If the rotors went on easy, they are too loose. You can, with some difficulty, adjust them through the ports on the inside

 

[Samisunjp]

How have you have the star adjusters set? Of the pads and rotors are new, you should be able to adjust them to be snug when sliding the rotors on. If the rotors went on easy, they are too loose. You can, with some difficulty, adjust them through the ports on the inside

Both sides are snug when putting rotors on and I am able to snug them up enough that I cannot turn them by hand. When I get the wheels back on the ground though it exhibits the behavior I described where they do not hold in drive or reverse.

 

[2004LB7]

Both sides are snug when putting rotors on and I am able to snug them up enough that I cannot turn them by hand. When I get the wheels back on the ground though it exhibits the behavior I described where they do not hold in drive or reverse.

Sounds like a stretched cable, even though you said you replaced it , or you didn't adjust the peddle

 

[Samisunjp]

How is pedal adjustment done? As far as im aware you just depress the pedal 3 times after new cables and pads are installed.

 

[2004LB7]

-Hold the park brake pedal in the FULL upward position.

-Pull rearward on the front park brake cable until the tension is released from the scribe or nail (1) installed through the holes in the pedal assembly.

-Remove the scribe or screwdriver (1).

-Slowly release the park brake cable until it returns to its original position.

-Release the park brake pedal.

-Lower the vehicle.

-Apply and release the park brake pedal to ensure that there is no binding or sticking.